Electric switch.



J. SACHS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION mu) DEC. 19. mus.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

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ELECTRIC SWITCH.

wvucnmu FILED DEC. i9. 19w

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

J SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

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ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 19. 1916.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

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I d r I pal/n IOSEPH SACHS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

Application filed December 19,1918. Serial No. 187,212.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH SACHS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to electric switches. The primary object I have in view is the provision of an appliance of this character possessintg the maximum safety. As a result, there ore, it is not inappropriate to consider the appliance a safety electric switch.

Electric switches are at times provided with fusible circuit controlling elements as well as mechanically movable circuit controlling elements both incased, and the movable circuit controlling element being operable from the exterior of the casing. Access to such fused switches is usually had by removing the cover of the box or casing which exposes the various movable and-fusible circuit controlling parts of the appliance and makes them accessible. In this character of switch, however, there is an element of danger to the person who replaces the fuses or musthave access to the interior of the casing or box. In my invention I avoid this danger by providing in an electric switch a movable circuit controlling element and its coiiperative incoming or supply connections. A fusible circuit controlling element is in 00- operative electrical connection with this movable element. Means are provided for inaccessibly incasing the movable circuit controlling element, and separate means are provided for incasing the fusible circuit controlling element. In the present case this incasement is done in a positive manner. To provide for the operation of the movable circuit controlling member exteriorly of the casing an actuator mechanically associable with the movable circuit controlling means is provided. This actuator is coiiperatively related with the casing of the fusible circuit controlling element, 50 that said element is made inaccessible when the actuator is in a position to close through said movable circuit controlling element connection with the supply end connection, and this cooperative relation between the actuator and the casing for the fusible circuit controlling element is such as to permit the opening of this casing and give access to said fusible circuit controlling element when the actuator is in what might be called the open positlon or has moved the movable circuit controlling element away from or disconnected it from the su ply end connection. Furthermore to ful y carry out the safety feature of my invention, I so relate and cooperatively arrange the movable and fusible circuit controlling elements, their casings and cooperative mountings, bases, barriers, etc. that when the fusible circuit controlling element has been made accessible in the manner above described, it is positively dead or free from all electrical connection or contact with the supply end connection aforesaid, and this supply end connection and preferably also the movable circuit controlling element is positively barrier-ed, separated, shielded and made surely inaccessible to the manipulator of the fusible circuit controlling device when accessible as noted.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have shown an organization which has met the requirements in a highly satisfactory manner. This I will set forth in detail in the following description. I do not restrict myself in any sense to this showing; I may departmaterially therefrom within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description. As a matter of fact the invention involves certain broad re lations and is confined in no Sense to any particular details.

I have found that an excellent arrangement of the parts or elements entering into my invention is to combine them in a manner so that the movable circuit controlling means is on one side of a support and the fusible circuit controlling means is on the other side, while the cabinet or housing for the entire appliance is of what might be called a multi or plural compartment character. In this structural arrangement the main portion of the cabinet or housing of which a cover is a part, completely supports and incases the live or supply end connection and the movable circuit controlling means, while mounted on this main part of the entire cabinet is the auxiliary casing or inclosure for the fuse. As shown these two inclosures are mounted one in front of or over the other, butas will be entirely obvious, many other locational arrangements of these two compartments or incasings of the complete cabinet may be used.

I also wish to make clear that in the particular structural embodiment of the invention herein shown all of the circuit controlling parts and elements are supported in aml by the main part of the complete caliinet, leaving the cover both for the mam part and for the auxiliary (infuse mcasmg part of the cabinet, entn'ely trcc trom any mounting or carrier or bases, contactsor other )arts entering into the circuit controlling element of the complete appliance. It will be noted also that while I have provided for the incaselnent and protection and safe-guarding against contact of the live or supply end contacts or connections and the accessibility at certain times and conditions of the fusible circuit controlling means, 1 have also arranged the parts so that the live connections and the movable circuit controlling element which under normal conditions are positively locked, sealed and barriered against access and contact may yet when desired, be made at once accessible to permit of proper connection, inspection and adjustment.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 IS a face view of an electric switch involving the invention with the actuator in the closed position and all parts inaccessible.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the actuator in open circuited position and the cover of the fusible circuit controlling means incasement or inclosure opened.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the dotted lines showing the actuator and the movable circuit controlling means in the open position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation as seen from the left in Fig. 2, the dotted lines showing the cover of the casing for the fusible circuit controlling means in the closed position.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig.

1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is an elevation as seen from the right in Figs. 1 and 2 for example, with the actuator and movable circuit controlling means in the closed position and with the sealing means removed and with the cover of the main casing partly off to provide access to said main casing.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 77 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow, showing a catch for the cover of the fusible circuit controlling means casing.

Like characters refer tolike parts throughout the several views.

Certain of the parts as will be understood are inclosed by a cabinet. This cabinet so long as it meets certain conditions hereinafter s ecified, may be of any suitable nature; t at denoted in a general way by 2 meets the requirements in a satisfactory manner. This cabinet or its equivalent involves a main casing as 3 and an auxiliary casing as 4. The interior of this main casing or inclosuro 3 constitutes a convenient compartment for movable circuit controlling means of some convenient form, while the interior of the auxiliary compartment 4: presents a suitable compartment or chamber for fusible circuit controlling means. The movable circuit controlling means, as will be understood, comprises preferably one or more connectors or switching members of which a suitable kind will be hereinafter described. The fusible circuit. controlling means involves one or more fusible elements, the fuses of which may be any one of the familiar types now in general use. The fusible element requires replacement when blown and in the location of the parts and the relation to each other it is essential that at least this destructible fusible element be accessible and manipulable when its inclosing casing is open. However, it is as will appear, not essential that an of the supporting parts for the destructible fusible element e supported or mounted in or for that matter even project into to any extent the aforesaid casing.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the main casing 3 comprises a box body 5 and a cover 6. In conjunction with lllllS main casing 3 I rovide suitable sealng means, and as wil be obvious, this sealmg means may be of any convenient kind, although that shown and now to be described answers. The box body 5 and cover 6 have slots which register to receive the sealing rod 7 headed at one end and perforated at the other to receive the seal 8. It will be clear that when the cover 6 is sealed, access to the interior of the main casing or boxl 3 can be obtained only by breaking the sea In the present case this cover 6 constitutes a convenient support for the auxiliary casmg 4. As represented this auxiliary casing 4 eons1sts of a frame or wall members as J rigid with the outer face of the cover,.and a cover as 10 hinged or otherwise suitably connected with said wall or frame member or analogous part. A suitable hinge is shown at 11. The cover 6 as shown has apertures or perforations 12 through which the fuses and certain supporting parts therefor pro ect into and are held within the auxiliary casing 4.

As noted there may be one or more suitable movable circuit controlling elements. I have shown two of such and designate them by 13. These movable circuit control ling elements 13 are in the form of connectors or switching members as they are sometimes known, of blade construction for instance. Each is associated and cooperatively related with contacts as 14 and 15. When the movable circuit controlling means are as shown of blade type the contacts may be 0! clip form of the usual construction as shown. ()no of each pair of clips cooperating with each respective movable circuit controllin or switching member is arranged for pivota relationshi II with one end of the blade as shown at l6, while" the other clip 14 is a rupturing portion clip into and out of which the movab 0 blade connector or switching member is moved. In the present case the contacts or cli s 14 are referably connected with the supp y end 0 the circuit, and for this purpose are provided with the usual connecting parts such as shown by 17 for the connection therewith of supply wires.

The two pairs of contacts 14 and 15 are fixed in some convenient manner upon a suitable support, the insulatin base 18 being shown for this pur ose. Tfiis insulating bas may be of pore ain or other suitable material; it is mounted in the box body 5 and as shown said box body is provided at suitable places with angle brackets 19 suitably rigi ly connected with said body 5 and base 18 respectively.

The movable circuit controlling means is situated on one side of a. base as 18 while the fusible circuit controlling means is situated on the op osite side of said base in the construction siiown, which is an advantagcous arrangement, although I am not restricted thereto. In that form of base shown, the latter has 'bosses 20 which extend through the apertures or openings 12 in the cover 6. The ockets of these bosses receive the standard dison screw receptacle shells and contact into which the standard Edison plug fuses 21 are received. These fuses are merely one of several kinds which answer the requirements; any other type may be substituted therefor so long as proper provision is made to properly receive and hold them.

In order to electrically connect the receptacle or receiving contacts for the fuse 21 with the movable switching members 13, I find the construction shown excellently adapted for this purpose. The screws 22, the heads ofwhich serve as the central contacts for the fused plug receptacles, are extended through the base 18 and are mechanically and electrically clamped and connected with the respective hinged end contacts 15. The receptacle screw shells 23 forming the other contacts of the fused plug receiving receptacles, are electrically continued by the strips 24 terminating in suitable wire connecting means as shown at 25 to which the outgoing or load wires may be connected. The screws 22 serve to hold the screw shells 23 and the strips 24 in place in the usual manner common inthe art. It will now be noted that when the movable switching members 13 are in closed position electrically connecting the clips 15 and 14 that the circuit from the supply end connected to the connection part 1 extends through the movable connectors or switching members 13 up to the central contacts of the plug rcce tacles through the fusi ble plugs to the shel s 23, the connecting strips 2-1 and the circuit connection parts 25 to which the outgoing circuit wires are connected. Consequently as will be clear when the movable switchin members are opened then the fuse receptac e contacts are electrically inactive, dead or entirely positively disconnected from the supply end contact and connection reprepgnted by the clip 15 and connecting rt The actuator for the complete appliance serves in its entirety for th manipulation or operation of the movable switching membet or members within the cabinet from the exterior of the cabinet and preferably also provides by proper cooperative relationship with the fusible circuit controlling device inclosure to produc the already described locking effect of that particular inclosure when the actuator is in certain redetermined positions, the on position. T e actua tor may be formed in various ways involving in its com lete organization a single part or a plum ity of parts which may be separable to produce certain advantageous results. This latter arrangement is that which I have adopted in order to obtain certain of the results above stated.

The actuator shown is denoted in a general way by 30. It comprises the parts 31 and 32. The-part 31 in turn is made up of a crank portion 33, the ends of which are suppo for rocking movement by the sides of the box body 5. One of these gudgeon or journal ends is projected upwardly as denoted by 34, the upwardly projecting portion 34 beingconnectible and disconnectlble as required with the actuator part 32. The yoke or crank portion 33 constitutes in the construction shown the connector or switch member operating art of the actuator and for this purpose it 1s connected in some convenient way with the two connectors 13. As shown these connectors have united with them the couplers 35 preferably of insulating material and terminating in books which receive the yoke or crank portion 33 to thus mechanically connect the actuator in its entirety with the two connectors. The way tion of the arm or projection 34 which is the normal assemblage when the parts are operatively related to perform their normal circuit controlling functions. By grasping the handle portion 38 and moving it on its pivots the movable switching member portion 31 of the complete actuator is correspondingly moved, so that the movable switching members are placed in open or closed position. In the on position of the complete actuator 30 the bail-like portion with its manipulating handle is in position as shown m Fig. 1, and by the full lines in Fig. 3 and also in Figs. 5 and 6. The open circuited osition of the complete actuator is shown 1n Figs. 2 and 4 and by dotted lines in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the relationshi of the actuator with the cover 10 is such that the transverse part of the bail 36 rides directly on the pro ecting rib 41 of the cover 10, so that this cover as soon as the actuator is moved toward circuit on wsing position is caused to be ushed into closing position and when the bai -like portion 36 'of the actuator is moving in its circuit closing position and after it has concluded its circuit closing movement, this cover is firmly locked and held in lace. It will also be noted that for some substantial distance of movement prior to the actual connection of the movable switching members with the stationary rupture portion contact is efl'ected, this cover 10 is closed and lock closed by the bail-like part 36 of the actuator. Also conversely, this cover cannot be c ened until the actuator has been moved bac ward substantially to its full open circuited position.

Inorder that the cover 10 may be held or latched in closed position, I provide some sort of catch or fastening to hold this cover to the frame member 9. This is shown in detail in Fi 4 and 7 As represented the cover 10 is urnished with a spring tongue .45 acting as a convenient latch to engage a lggeper or nib 46 on the frame or wall memr. In the normal operation of my switch appliance, the main cover 6 will be sealed and old in place on the box body 5. The circuit wires being properly connected as stated, the actuator can now be asped and moved through its full extent 0 movement in either direction to open or close the circuit due to the movement of the movable circuit controlling members 13. So long as it is merely required to have the ap liance rform this function nothing furt er n be done. If now a fuse blows and uires replacement and the switch should on, it is first necessa to move the actuator to the oil position, a r which the cover 10 may be grasped and opened, having been released by the oif movement and sitioning of the actuator and its associa switching member or members. Now it is possible to manipulate the fuses 21 which are, however, at this time entirely and positively dead and no part of the fuse plug or its receiving receptacle is in any way connected with the supply end of the circuit. Furthermore the manipulation for removal and reinsertion of a fuse plug is made absolutely safe and the manipu ator is insured against all and any danger of contact with live parts due to the fact that it is impossible for him to have access into in any way, the main compartment of the complete cabinet in which the live or incoming circuit connection and the movable switchlng members controlling connection therewith are located. This safety feature is acomplishcd by the positive barrier or the complete blocking oil of access from the auxiliary or fuse containing compartment to the main or movable switching member and live connection containing compartment.

It is necessary at times for inspection, adjustment and connection to get at the main compartment containing the circuit connections and the movable switching parts. To accomplish this however, it is essential that the seal 8 be broken, and the sealing bar or rod 7 be removed, and this procedure isillustrated in Fig. 6 as has already been stated. When in this condition and the cover 6 and its attached parts have been entirely taken away, then the manipulator has free access through the main compartment and all'the live parts connections and movable switching elements therein. Due to the peculiar construction of the cabinet and the actuator, it will be noted that access may be had to the main compartment of the cabinet containing the movable switching member and live connections me be had when the parts are in the on or c osed circuited position as well as in the 0d or open circuited position. This feature is of advanta e, because it may be necessary to inspect or testing or other purposes the aforesaid arts, and connections without disturbin t e circuit connections.

at I claim is:

1. In an electric switch, a cabinet having a compartment, provided with a main cover having an opening, and an auxiliary cover for said opening, a base supported in said compartment independently of said covers, a movable circuit-controlling member on one side of said base and within said compartment, a fusible circuit-controlling portion on the other side of said base, positioned at said opening in the main cover, an operating element for the movable circuit-controlling member, having a portion accesible exteriorl of said cabinet, and means cooperative with the movable circuit-controlling member and its operating element and the auxiliary cover to prevent the latter being opened to give access to the fusible circuit-controlling member when the switch v is closed. a

2. In an electric switch, a cabinet having a compartment, a main cover with an opening therein, an auxiliary cover for said opening, a fusible switch comprising a base, the switching element being on one side of said base and the fuse receiving portion on the op osite side of said base, said fuse switch being mounted in its entirety in the compartment and closingthe opening in said main cover so that the fusecarrying portion is positioned at said opening and is accessible when the auxiliary cover is opened, an operating member for said switching element, having a portion accessible exteriorly of the cabinet, said switch-operating member 00- operating with the auxiliary cover to prevent the latter being opened when the switch is closed.

3. In an incased switch, a fused switch comprising a base, movable circuit-controllin means mounted on one side of said base and a .fusible circuit-controlling means receiving portion on the opposite side of said base, a cabinet having a main cover with an opening, an auxiliary cover for closing said opening, means for mountin said fuseswitch in said cabinet so that he movable circuit-controlling means is entirely within the cabinet and the ortion carrying the fusible circuit-control ing means is positioned at the opening in the main cover, operating means for the movable circuit-controlling means, havin a portion accessible exteriorly of the cabinet, and means cooperative between said operating means and said auxiliary cover to prevent access to the fusible circuit-controlling means when the switch is closed.

4. In an electric switch, a box provided with a main cover portion having an opening, an auxiliary cover over said opening, a fuse switch comprising a base with a movable switching member mounted on one side of said base and a fuse-receivin portion on the other side of said base, the fused switch bein positioned with its switching member entirely within the box and its main and auxiliary cover portions and with its fused-receiving portion at the opening in the main cover portion, an operating element for the switching member having a portion accessible exteriorly of the CflJblIlBlJ, means operable when the cover portions are in p ace on the cabinet, to prevent access to the fuse-receiving ortion of the fuse-switch when the swltcliing member is closed, and means whereby said cover portions may both be moved out of their normal position on the cabinet to give complete access to all parts of said switch.

5. In an electric switch, a box, a cover for the box, the cover having an o ening, means for sealing the cover in' ts osed p si i n on the box, a fused switch in the box and supported independently of the cover, the fuse-switch closing said openin and the fuse-carrying portion being osltioned at said opening in the cover so t lat when the cover s in place access to the other parts of the fuse-switch within the box and its cover is prevented, a supplementary cover preventing when closed, access to the fusecarrying portion, a switch-operating element having a portion accessible exteriorly of said box, and means to prevent the opening of the auxiliary cover when the switch is closed.

6. In an electric switch, a base havinga switching member mounted on one face and a fuse-receiving portion mounted on the opposite face, a box havin means for completely inclosing the switching member while permitting access to the fuse-receiving portion exteriorly of said box, an auxiliary cover for said exteriorly accessible fuse receiving portion, a switch-operating element, and means cot'iperating between the switchoperating element and the auxiliary cover, to prevent the opening of the latter when the switch is closed.

7. In an electric switch, a box, a removable cover for the box, the cover having an opening, a fuse-switch in said box and supported independently of the cover, the fuse-switch closing said opening and the fuse-carrying portion of said fuse-switch being positioned at said opening, a supplementary cover to prevent when closed access to the fuse and the fuse -carryin portion of said fuseswitch, and a switc -operating member accessible exteriorly of said box, the switch-operating member having means cooperative therewith and the supplementary cover to prevent the latter being opened when the switch is closed.

8. In an electric switch, a box, a cover for the box, the cover having an opening, a fused switch comprising a base, a switching member positioned on one side and a fuse-receiving portion on the opp'osite side, said base belng supported in the ox independently of the cover, the base of the switch closin said opening and the fuse-carrying portionieing positioned at said 0 enin a supplementary cover to prevent w en 0 osed access to the fuse-carrying portion for manipulation of the fuse, a switch-operating member operatively connected wit the switching element, mounted on the base of the fuse-switch in the box, said switch-operating member having a portion accessible exteriorly of the box, and said switch-operating element being provided with means to engage the cover to revent the same being opened when the swltch is closed.

9. In an electric switch a box, a removable cover for the box, the cover having an opening, a fuse-switch in said box, supported 111- dependently of the cover, the fuse-switch closing said opening, and the fuse-carrying portion of said fuse-switch being positioned at said opening, means accessib e exteriorly of the box for opening and closing the switch, and means for preventing access to the fuse-carrying portion of the switch when the latter is on and for permitting access to saidfifuse-carrying portion when the switch 18 o 10. A box, a fused switch in the be the body of the switch being supporter y a fixed part of the box, means accessible exteriorly of the box to open or close the switch independent] of the movement of any movable part of t ebox, the box having an opening to provide access to the fused portion of the switch without opening the box and means for preventing access to the fuse of the switch except when the switch is open.

11. In a device of the character described, a box havin a cover, a switching member in said box and inaccessible when said cover is closed means accessible exteriorly of the box for effecting the action of the switching mem ber independently of the movement of any movable part of the box, fuse-receiving means in the box and electrically associated with the switching member, said box having an opening and said fuse-receiving means being positioned at said opening to rovide for the mounting and dismountmg o a fuse without opening the box, and means for permitting access to the fuse-receiving portion on}? when said fuse-receiving contacts are dea 12. In a device of the class described,'a box, a switch'in the box comprising an insulatin base, fuse receiving means on one face 0 the base, movable switchin means on the opposite face of the base an within the box, the switching means and the fuse receiving means being approximately in overlapped relation, and a support in the box for said fuse switch to expose-the fuse receiving portion of the switch' outwardly of the box.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH SACHS.

Witnesses:

L. L. MARKEL, HEATH SU'IHEBLAND. 

